Isaac Samuel
Security was visibly heightened at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Thursday ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled address to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The President is expected to deliver his Democracy Day speech at 12 noon as part of activities marking the June 12 commemoration.
As early as 8 a.m., heavy presence of security operatives drawn from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was observed manning all major entry points to the complex.
Routine checks at the gates were intensified, with vehicular movement closely monitored and restricted.
Access into the complex was limited to individuals with special accreditation, including lawmakers, journalists, security agents, and designated staff on official duty.
The security build-up comes following the cancellation of an earlier scheduled nationwide broadcast by the President, which was to be aired at 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
Director of Information and Public Relations in the Presidency, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement said President will now deliver his Democracy Day address directly from the National Assembly.
“Due to H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled.
“President Bola Ahmed will deliver his address from the National Assembly. All other plans are in order as announced earlier,” the statement said.
